Barbarians Squad

Gloucester's five Churchill Cup squad members, and two of the Club's new recruits, have all been named in the England squad to play the Barbarians at Twickenham on 28 May in the Tibco Challenge.

Phil Vickery, Andy Gomarsall, James Simpson-Daniel, James Forrester and Andy Hazell, as well as Mike Tindall and Peter Richards, who join the Club in the summer, are all part of international squad for the clash at Twickenham.

England assistant coach Joe Lydon is in charge for both the Barbarians game and the Churchill Cup tour, whilst England head coach Andy Robinson is with the Lions. He acknowledges the squad for the Tibco Challenge at Twickenham is very strong.

"The overall priority is the Churchill Cup tour in June but we also want to put in a great performance for the home crowd at Twickenham against the Baa Baas.

"Bringing in Cueto and Noon for the game makes an already strong squad even stronger. Mark has had a great first season with England in the autumn Tests and of course the Six Nations and Jamie really made his mark throughout the Six nations. Their inclusion in our squad to face the Barbarians gives England fans the opportunity to see them in action before we rest them for next season.

"As with the Churchill Cup squad, Pat Sanderson, captain of Worcester Warriors, will captain the England XV at Twickenham and Andy Gomarsall will be vice captain. Pat has shown excellent leadership skills with his club, where he has had a great season."

Micky Ward of Newcastle Falcons comes in to replace Will Green (London Wasps) in both the squad to face the Barbarians and the Churchill Cup tour. This follows Green's personal decision to withdraw from England duties.

Tickets for the Tibco Challenge match between the England XV and the Barbarians can be purchased through Ticketmaster on 0870 902 0000.

Fly-half Billy Burns was named Man of the Match after the 35-14 European Rugby Challenge Cup victory over Stade Rochelais on Thursday evening, and was full of praise for all his team mates for the win after a short turnaround.

Gloucester have been in good form in recent weeks, but Backs Coach Tim Taylor knows that the Cherry and Whites will have to be at their best on Thursday evening (kick off 7:45pm) against a Stade Rochelais side flying high this season.

Speaking to GRTV after the bonus point win over Bristol, back row Lewis Ludlow revealed that despite a tricky first half, Gloucester backed their skills to come through, a faith that was evident in a strong second half showing.

Willi Heinz scored Gloucester's second try as the Cherry and Whites overturned a disappointing first 40 minutes and 0-6 half time deficit, to earn a 26-18 Aviva Premiership victory over Bristol Rugby on Saturday.

Gloucester's much changed side had to overcome conceding an early try on Thursday evening, but responded in style to down Stade Rochelais by 35 points to 14 in the European Rugby Challenge Cup and set up a mouthwatering return fixture next weekend.

After taking 11 points from their last three games in the Aviva Premiership, including bonus point wins against Wasps and Bristol, Gloucester will be looking to continue their good form when they welcome La Rochelle to Kingsholm.